Man accused in Indianapolis fatal hit-and-run pleads not guilty, gets $50K bail

INDIANAPOLIS — Franck Bazil pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges stemming from a hit-and-run crash that killed a 9-year-old boy and injured another child on Indianapolis’ northwest side.

Bazil, 31, appeared in court Thursday for his initial hearing. He faces one count of failure to remain at the scene of a crash resulting in death and one count of failure to remain at the scene of a crash resulting in moderate or serious bodily injury.

Police say Bazil was driving Sunday afternoon when his SUV struck two children in the 6700 block of Eagle Pointe Drive North. Nine-year-old Roland McLain III, known as RJ, later died at the hospital. His 6-year-old brother was also injured but has since been released from the hospital.

The judge set Bazil’s bail at $50,000.

“I’m hurt. I’m outraged. I feel like it’s an injustice,” said Laquisha Moore, McLain’s grandmother. She attended the hearing with several of McLain’s loved ones and friends. They showed up wearing blue shirts because one of McLain’s favorite colors was blue.

Bazil is also being held on an immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His attorney confirmed in the hearing that Bazil is not a U.S. citizen.

Investigators used video and automated license plate reader technology to identify and track the SUV. Lawrence police arrested Bazil at a car wash about two hours after the crash, according to police and court records.

Bazil remained in custody Thursday. His initial hearing had been delayed one day after his attorney notified the court that Bazil needed an interpreter.

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